CONTINUE IN HIS WORD…

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³¹ Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:31-32 NRSV

Many times we read or quote these verses in passing as we share some specific truth from the Scriptures, be it on salvation, healing, restoration, deliverance, provision and what-have-you. The implication is, whatever Scriptural truth we are sharing, if received and believed will set the recipient free and while this is true, there is yet another layer of revelation if you will,  that can be gleaned from these oft quoted verses.

You see beloved, here Jesus was talking to Jews who were versed in all the Jewish Scriptures from Genesis to Malachi as well as in other non-canonical Jewish writings. They were no strangers to the Law and Prophets.

Notice, Jesus didn't say to them “If you continue in the Scriptures…” He said “if you continue in My word”.  

In John 6:63 Jesus reveals to us that His words are both spirit and life. He is now in us by His Spirit, therefore we have His life within us, we'll do well to acquaint ourselves with His Spirit within us. We are His temple, His dwelling place, His habitation.

Let us do ourselves a huge favor and pay attention to what Jesus is saying to us for our very lives depend on His specific word to us. To enjoy the freedom that is ours in Christ we must continue, abide and remain in His word and how can we do that unless we first hear what He is saying to us.

When He was being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus said:

⁴ Jesus answered, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.’”– Matthew 4:4 GW

Beloved, the quality of our lives depends on what we do with EVERY WORD that God speaks to us. We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17). We hear what Christ is saying before faith can spring up in our hearts, and that ability to hear Christ doesn't come through just some random Scripture – no it comes through a specific WORD from CHRIST.  Faith for what He says to you comes with HIS WORD, never apart from it. And we can hear His voice for we are His sheep (John 10:27), we are also reminded to let the word of Christ with all its wisdom and richness live in us (Colossians 316)

Walking in freedom starts with knowledge of the truth and knowledge of the truth comes from abiding in the Word of Jesus. The level of freedom we walk in is directly proportional to the truth we know and live by, the more truth we know and continue in, the more liberty we enjoy. 

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The Lord has specific plans and purposes for our lives, now for us to know them and to walk in them we will have to hear His Word, obey it and continue in it. Whatever He tells us will not contradict His written Word. The written Word is the standard against which every revelation, prophecy or Word from the Lord is to be measured before being accepted or rejected.

The Lord didn't stop talking after the Bible was written, so expect to hear Him speak to you; hold on to His specific Word to you and experience the liberating truth that is yours in Christ today!